| Vestibular Function of Figure Skaters. |
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Jung-Sok Oak |
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Dankook University |
Correspondence:
Jung-Sok Oak,
Email: kacep2001@hanmail.net
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Received: 2 September 2014 • Accepted: 14 February 2015 |
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| Abstract |
PURPOSE
This study was to investigate the difference of vestibulo-ocular reflex for comparing vestibular function between two different of figure skaters.
METHODS
The subjects recruited for this study (n=12) were middle school student athletes which are registered in Korea Skating Union. Based on Korea Skating Union’ accredited performance level, the subjects were categorized intothe level of 5th grade figure skating athlete group(5FG, n=6) and level of 3th grade figure skating athlete group(3FG, n=6). To assess the function of vestibulo-ocular reflex, gain and phase were conducted by slow harmonic acceleration (SHA) test. Time constant was determined in clock-wise and the counter clock-wise directions by Velocity step test. The vestibulo-ocular reflex’s gain and phase difference was assessed by Sinusodial rotation test in frequency of 0.01, 0.04, 0.16, 0.64 Hz. To verify the mean difference of the vestibulo-ocular reflex test between the two groups, two-way repeated ANOVA was conducted. If there was a significant difference, post-hoc test was conducted. The significance level was set to α=.05.
RESULTS
Velocity step test revealed no significant difference between 5FG and 3FG in both clock-wised and the counter clock-wise directions. The SHA test revealed that 5FG had lower gain score compared to the 3FG(p<.05). Despite both athlete group’s gain score increased as the SHA frequency increased, there was interaction effect. Also in phase difference, level 5FG had a higher mean value than the level 3FG(p<.05). Even though both athlete group’s phase difference decreased as the frequency increased(p<.05), there was no interaction effect.
CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the function of vestibular organ was better in high ranked figure skaters group than low ranked figure skaters group based on the result of SHA test and it was suggested that this test is useful to check up balance ability in sport medical examination. |
| Keywords:
figure skating athlete, vestibular function, vestibulo-ocular reflex, gain, phase |
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